NFL Playoff Predictions
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Were you taking notes during my division predictions?
You better have been!
But if you didn’t, here is who I have making the playoffs in 2026.
AFC
Baltimore Ravens
Houston Texans
Kansas City Chiefs
Buffalo Bills
Denver Broncos
Jacksonville Jaguars
Los Angeles Chargers
NFC
Los Angeles Rams
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
And with that, here is how I see the playoffs working out.
Wild Card Round
AFC
Texans defeat Chargers
You think Justin Herbert, with his constant failures in the postseason, is going to thrive against this dominant Texans defense?
No shot.
Chiefs defeat Jaguars
The Chiefs return to the postseason, and the Jags have to go into a raucous Arrowhead crowd and try to get a win.
That feels like too tall of a mountain for a young team and a young coach.
Broncos defeat Bills
I just plainly don’t think the Bills will be that good this year.
They’ll benefit from a bad division, but Joe Brady as head coach gives me the same vibe as the Browns promoting Freddie Kitchens after Baker’s rookie year.
It’s just not going to work.
NFC
Packers defeat Cowboys
The Packers have been the 7 seed three times in the postseason in the Jordan Love era, but they’ve always been feisty, beating the Cowboys three years ago, and playing the Bears tough last year.
With Micah Parsons back in full force, and the constant weight of expectations for the Cowboys, the Packers get the win.
Eagles defeat Lions
Want to beat Jared Goff?
Make him uncomfortable.
The Eagles pass rush makes Goff’s life a living hell, and the offense does enough to get a low scoring upset win.
Seahawks defeat Saints
Remember the 2010-2011 season?
The defending champion New Orleans Saints went on the road to play the 7-9 lowly Seahawks, and the Seahawks fed off the environment and got the incredible upset win.
That could happen again.
But it won’t.
Seahawks win and advance.
Divisional Round
AFC
Ravens defeat Broncos
The extra week of rest helps the Ravens, as the jump start Jesse Minter defense thrives in year one, and gets Baltimore back to hosting an AFC Championship game.
Texans defeat Chiefs
I know. It’s crazy.
Betting against Mahomes in the playoffs. And to lose to CJ Stroud, too?
But the Chiefs weapons are still on the weaker end, and the Texans can pressure with four, which is always when Mahomes struggles.
I think this Texans team can really do it this year.
NFC
Rams defeat Packers
Did you know that Sean McVay has never beaten Matt LaFleur?
Now, that might change later this year, as the two face off in the regular season, but in this scenario, there’s just too much talent in LA for the Rams to fall to this Packers team.
Even if the Packers defense gets to Stafford, what is the offense going to do against this new look defense?
Seahawks defeat Eagles
Did you also know the Eagles haven’t beaten the Seahawks since 2008?
Now, again, that may change later this year, as the two face off later in the season, but in this scenario, in a surprise home game for a wild card team, the Seahawks feed off the crowd and get the win.
Championship Round
AFC
Ravens defeat Texans
I expect both teams to have absolutely stellar defenses.
So, really, this just comes down to which offense can make enough plays to get the win and head to the Super Bowl.
Lamar Jackson has had his playoff struggles, but he thrived against the Texans defense a few years ago, and I still worry about C.J. Stroud.
Give me the Ravens.
NFC
Rams defeat Seahawks
It’s hard to repeat a title.
It’s hard to even get a chance to repeat.
It’s even harder to do it when the obstacle standing in your way is a QB who has your number, and the best pass rusher of the modern generation.
The Rams went all in for one more title shot for Matt Stafford, and they get it.
Super Bowl Prediction
The Ravens vs the Rams.
Actually, one of my predictions from a couple of years ago.
And it reminds me a lot of the 2019 Super Bowl between the Patriots and the Rams, where the Patriots had the experienced, veteran coach and QB, and the Rams were the new kids in town.
Except this time, the Rams have the experienced coach and QB, and the Ravens are brand new in the Minter era.
It’s hard to not give the edge to Stafford and the Rams here.
AND YET…
No, yeah. It’s going to be the Rams.
McVay and Stafford are extremely smart and know how to break down even the best defenses in the sport, and the improved defense does enough to shut down the Ravens.
The Rams win the Super Bowl.
